Does a Seatbelt Ticket Raise Your Insurance Rates?

Across the country, drivers and front seat passengers must buckle up for safety, or risk being ticketed. You've probably heard of the "Click It Or Ticket" initiative, but how does it affect you specifically? Some people worry that one seatbelt ticket may result in higher auto insurance premiums, which is an unsavory effect. However, this isn't always the case. In fact, whether or not a seatbelt ticket will raise your auto insurance rates depends on a few factors, which vary by state.

Since a seatbelt ticket is a minor offense, certain factors have to come into play for it to affect your auto insurance rates. These factors include:

The ticket must be noted on your motor vehicle record
Your insurance provider must consider a minor offense a risk factor
Your state must allow insurers to penalize minor offenses

Without these factors, your rates are not likely to increase simply because either your insurance provider won't find out about the offense or they won't be allowed to penalize you for it.

Many minor offenses — like tickets for parking violations, broken headlights or expired registrations — may never make it onto your driving record. And if a ticket doesn't hit your record, your insurance provider won't calculate it into your auto insurance rates. However, if you receive a moving violation — which is anything that could endanger the lives of other drivers, like a ticket for speeding or running a red light — you can expect that to appear on your record.

Even if your insurer does see a seatbelt ticket, the possibility of a rate increase will depend on their company guidelines. For instance, some insurers may let it slide if it's a first offense, while others may still view it as a risk. (Note that most insurers will view it as a risk if you have multiple infractions on record.) And while some insurers may slightly raise your premium, others may simply revoke your safe driver discount. In the latter case, you're not technically experiencing a premium increase, though it may feel that way after the loss of a discount.

Whatever the case, you're likely to find out when your policy is up for renewal. And at that point, it may be in your best interest to search for a new insurance provider. Lucky for you, our agency can help you find a new auto insurance policy that better suits your needs and budget!

Let us help you today. Call Raymond Longoria Insurance at (888) 296-0345 for more information on Laredo TX auto insurance.

Does a Seatbelt Ticket Raise Your Insurance Rates?

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